October 09, 2012

Contact: California Educator Editor Cynthia Menzel at 650-552-5323 or cmenzel@cta.org can arrange interviews with educators featured in the magazine.

BURLINGAME — There’s a lot at stake for California’s students, public schools and communities on the November ballot. That’s why educators are mobilizing across the state. The latest edition of CTA’s California Educator magazine shows the important roles educators are playing in this year’s election to pass Proposition 30 and defeat Prop. 32.

“Educators know that this election is critical for their students. It will have a significant impact on student learning and the future of our public schools and our state,” said Dean Vogel, president of the 325,000-member California Teachers Association. “Teachers are still the most respected messengers in their communities, and this issue of the Educator helps educators share their message and their good work in advocating for students and schools.”

Articles discuss the dangers of Prop. 32, dubbed the Special Exemptions Act for its loopholes that allow the corporate special interests behind the measure to write their own rules at the expense of everyone else. Political voices of teachers, nurses, firefighters and other workers would be silenced, while corporations and the wealthy could continue to give unlimited cash to Super PACs to influence politics. The magazine includes accounts from teachers in Utah, Idaho, Alabama, South Carolina and Washington, where similar measures have passed and silenced teachers and the middle class while continuing to allow billionaire businessmen and large corporations to make unlimited political contributions.

California’s educators are also advocating for the passage of Prop. 30, the Schools and Local Public Safety Protection Act. Prop. 30 would put California back on the road to recovery with temporary income tax hikes on the wealthy — and prevent $6 billion in immediate cuts to education if it’s approved by voters. Articles reflect on the past, present and future of public schools and their fate if voters reject Prop. 30. The October magazine profiles a few CTA members who are spending their time outside of their workday to get out the vote. It features educators — from Alturas to Imperial — describing why this election is so important and how they are inspiring others to get involved.

“From juggling new parent responsibilities and campaigning online to phone-banking and walking neighborhoods, CTA members across California are making a huge difference,” Vogel said.